It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

I Am Yours Sincerely

Location:  theSpaceTriplex – Studio (Venue 38)

Dates: Aug 2nd-10th

Time: 14:55

Price: £12.00 Concessions £10.00

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/i-am-yours-sincerely

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hey! My name is Ed Saunders-Lee and I am a 23 year old actor/writer who developed this one man show whilst attending the Guildford School of Acting last year. I have been to the Fringe a few times, once before as a performer and the others as a visitor. 

Tell us all about your show!

I Am Yours Sincerely is the true, untold and unbelievable story of John Cox, a member of the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War. He is also my step-grandfather. His story takes the audience on a journey from a university student to a war hero, parachuting in behind enemy lines, evading capture and at the end of it all, meeting his wife to be. This year also marks the 80^th anniversary of his first parachute jump into occupied France and I am lucky enough to be performing the show on the exact anniversary (8^th August 1944).

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the fringe?

The script was written using a lot of John’s very own words taken form interviews, memoirs and letters, often signing them off with ‘I am yours sincerely’ which is where I got the name of the show. His letters, and the idea of communication is a key theme throughout the show. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Being an experienced bagpipe player myself, I am very excited to be seeing the Tattoo but also David William Bryan’s ‘In Loyal Company’. His show and his work is a huge inspiration to me. 

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe.

I came to the Fringe in 2022 as a performer and I found that the shows I most enjoyed watching were the ones I would never have chosen to watch anywhere else. Like everyone else we did not know if or when we would get struck with anther lockdown. So, my advice would be to see absolutely everything you can and do not play it safe, as if you only had one day a year to see theatre shows. There is no better time to see solo theatre than at the fringe, and if you don’t like it, you learn something and if you did like it then your experience is all the better for taking the risk to see something you knew nothing about beforehand. I cannot emphasise enough, especially to young theatre makers like myself to Just. See. Theatre!

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe

The obligatory morning cup of tea followed by a cold shower to prepare for the weather outside. 

Head out to start the most important job of all – flyering! 

Prepare for the show about half an hour beforehand. 

Do the show!

After the show I always make sure to take time and thank the people that came to see it and get a grasp of what they thought of the show. 

Plan my afternoon activities of which shows I will see that evening.

Go out for a drink with other performers and chat. 

Sleep and repeat.

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Just relax and soak it all in. Enjoy the chaos because as much as you may like to be in control and make sure everything goes to plan, it might not one day and that’s ok! If you are frustrated with a certain aspect of your performance one day, acknowledge it, make a note of it and move on. There will be no time to make tweaks when you get there so just be proud of how far you have come and enjoy yourself! 

Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe? 

This is the hardest question on this list! But one of may favourite places to eat and go for a drink and relax is the Cold Town House in Grassmarket. The food is great and the energy and atmosphere is amazing. 

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

There is no other feeling like being accepted as a performer, it’s a fantastic feeling. To feel like you belong and that you are contributing to something bigger than yourself.

Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time?

If you are fortunate enough to be staying near the middle of the city then most places you’ll need to get to are walking distance. If not (like myself) the busses and trams will be you best friend. You can walk as well but the last thing I want to do is walk for 40 minutes after running around on stage for an hour. 

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

Umbrella, portable charger and good shoe insoles, you will be walking a lot!

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

Just talk to people. I can only speak from my experience but I don’t like flyers being shoved in my face with no context on what the show even is. What did work for us was sitting and talking to people and, if they are performers, learning about their show as well. Telling people why your show is so important and what it would mean to you if they came to watch your show! Don’t just shove a flyer in their face and leave, but also don’t monologue at them, let them talk to you as well. The Fringe is a community and the artists are there to support each other and they will if you are receptive to that. 

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

On instagram: i.am.yours.sincerely & ed.s.lee

On X: @sincerely_play

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show? 

Untold, True and Important